System 1 drivers and groups are organising on the Baku Metropolis Circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, marking Spherical 17 on the calendar.
Free Apply 1 and Free Apply 2 will happen on Friday, September 19, adopted by Free Apply 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, September 20 and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, September 21.
The driving force’s verdict
Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: An extended lap – there’s a lot to place collectively in Baku, with prolonged straights and large braking zones within the first sector, earlier than a winding second sector and a troublesome third sector.
Braking for Flip 1 is difficult; the nook comes rapidly after the start-finish line, nevertheless it in some way appears to take such a very long time to get there from the ultimate flip. With some slipstream, whether or not you luck into it or orchestrate it, you’ll be able to acquire an enormous period of time.
That’s one thing to observe for in Qualifying, however out-laps are additionally vital; the monitor floor isn’t so abrasive, so with a sluggish out-lap you would fail to heat up the tyres and lock up into Flip 1.
The infamous fortress part in the course of the monitor is slim and a spot the place accidents can simply occur, however the trickiest nook might be Flip 15, the place you’re accelerating in the direction of the top of the lap.
Flip 15 is an unsighted left-hander during which you’re braking barely to the fitting, then you definitely’ve obtained to sluggish it down and never get into the run-off space, and keep away from the looming partitions within the course of.
It’s all concerning the braking and, like at any avenue circuit, there’s loads of time to be gained should you can carry adequate pace out of the apex – simply don’t get grasping with the apex and clout the wall.
Tyre and technique perception
“On a avenue circuit with low ranges of grip and put on, bringing the identical choice as in 2024 would inevitably have led to a one-stop technique,” reads Pirelli’s preview.
“At the very least this manner, contemplating that this 12 months’s vary suffers a lot much less from graining, it opens up the potential of a two-stop technique.
“Furthermore, it’s clear that this 12 months, most lately at Monza, the groups and drivers have grow to be adept at managing the tyres effectively, in order that the race is unlikely to see very totally different methods.
“Though it’s a avenue monitor, Baku has some very lengthy straights – the place the automobiles hit very excessive prime speeds – that place vital vertical masses on the tyres.”
Present type
For the primary time because the Austrian Grand Prix again in June, championship leaders McLaren are heading right into a weekend aiming to return to profitable methods – following on from Max Verstappen and the resurgent Red Bull’s spectacular triumph at Monza final outing.
Would possibly we see one other head-to-head between the Dutchman and the papaya automobiles on the Baku Metropolis Circuit? Can Charles Leclerc give Ferrari one thing to have fun by making it 5 straight poles on Azerbaijan’s streets? And what about Mercedes’ probabilities of getting again within the combine?
Given the distinctive calls for of this monitor, and the advantageous margins at play to this point this season, it is going to be an interesting three days of motion as these questions are answered.
That stated, McLaren have their first probability to wrap up the 2025 Groups’ Championship in ‘the land of fireside’, given the massive factors benefit the squad boast over nearest rivals Ferrari – F1.com working by the all-important permutations right here.
Behind the top-four group, F1’s midfield combat stays as shut as ever, highlighted by simply 42 factors overlaying Williams in fifth, Aston Martin in sixth, Racing Bulls in seventh, Kick Sauber in eighth and Haas in ninth.
With a lot drama unfolding in Baku through the years, the weekend may current a golden alternative for a type of outfits – and even Alpine, who’ve been lower adrift in tenth – to get their palms on an enormous haul of factors.
We will probably be with you for each twist and switch…
Iconic second
Azerbaijan has performed host to some action-packed, drama-filled races because the nation arrived on the F1 calendar 9 years in the past, with the high-speed Baku venue and its fearsome concrete partitions catching out loads of drivers.
However one second that is still within the reminiscence for an additional motive is Daniel Ricciardo’s unimaginable overtaking show through the 2017 encounter, the spotlight of which was a three-car move down the principle straight and into Flip 1.
Working behind Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg and the Williams automobiles of Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll, the Australian used the slipstream to perfection earlier than slamming on the brakes on the final second and in some way protecting it out of the wall.
Watch Ricciardo’s gorgeous transfer within the video participant beneath.
